Esther's Blog: That's what she said

meal plan

2012-02-22T23:37:57Z

Hey there, I am sorry I have not been updating my meal plans lately, I am still doing them but I’ve gotten so spoiled using Pepperplate that I don’t ever post them on here. Let’s change that, shall we?

Monday- Beef Curry

Tuesday-Homemade Pizza w/ Chicken Sausage, Onions and this Simple Pizza Sauce (so easy and my new favorite sauce!)

Wednesday-Pork Chops w/ Brussels Sprouts and Quionoa

Thursday- Tex-Mex Chili

Friday- Out (hubs gone)

weekend

2012-02-21T18:35:19Z

1. my new sparkly flats <<love>>
2. day at the dog park with my two favorites
3. happy dog
4. happy wife
5. my tv buddy fell asleep on me half way through the show

snausage

2012-02-16T22:37:18Z

A few weeks ago Groupon sent me a $10 coupon to spend if I used it that day
well let’s just say I am not one to pass up free stuff
I spent that baby right away and got a few pounds of fresh sausage from Uli’s Famous Sausage
their chicken apple sausage is awesome, as well as their brauts and breakfast sausages
while I was at the market I also bought a big bunch of kale as I was craving Zuppa Toscana Soup (aka: Olive Garden Soup)
that was two weeks ago, I just got around to making it last night
thankfully kale is quite forgiving and lasts forever

the soup was delicious and just what I needed on a dreary day
its super quick to make too
this is the recipe I used ( minus the bacon bits)
of course I didn’t get a picture of the soup for you

I needed something to go along with the soup
and I had some extra Trader Joe’s pancake mix lying around so I made biscuits
and might I add, it makes a pretty descent biscuit
just add a touch of honey to taste and it was the perfect accompaniment to a satisfying weeknight meal

a perfect night

2012-02-15T15:42:30Z

love day

2012-02-14T15:54:52Z

Happy love day!
my husband gave me a big bouquet of flowers
and they couldn’t be more perfect
tonight we are celebrating by ordering take out and I am making Pots de Creme for dessert
romantic, I know
but honestly I wouldn’t want anything else
as long as we are both together, that is all I want
I know this is extremely sappy
but today I can get away with it
happy valentine’s day to you all!

chocolate chip buttermilk scones

2012-02-13T17:34:27Z

I was craving some baked goods Saturday morning
and came across these chocolate chip scones as I was perusing options for dinner
while the dough came out super sticky (not sure what I did wrong as I followed the directions exactly)
the finished product was delicious
next time I would probably use mini chocolate chips, but that is just my preference
these would also be delicious with fruit, blueberries, cranberries, etc.
perfect for a Saturday morning brunch with a mug of hot coffee
or just in time for a sweet Valentine’s Day breakfast

Skinny Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Scones
adapted from Skinny Taste

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cold buttermilk
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup all purpose flour (Bob’s Red Mill)
1 cup white whole wheat flour (Bob’s Red Mill)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp chilled butter (must be cold) cut into small pieces
3/4 cup chocolate chips
cooking spray
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tbsp sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Combine the first four ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender, or you could use 2 knives, until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Add milk mixture, stirring just until moist.

Place dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly four times with floured hands. Form dough into an 9-inch circle onto baking sheet, about 3/4″ thick. Using a knife, cut dough into 12 wedges all the way through.

Brush egg white over dough and sprinkle evenly with sugar. Bake until golden, about 18-20 minutes, depending on your oven. Serve warm.

cake pops

2012-02-10T23:01:04Z

My niece’s first birthday was back in January
my sister asked me if I would help her by making cake pops
I have only done it once before and they didn’t turn out very pretty
but of course, I said yes
I mean how could I say no to my niece?

thankfully they turned out much better this time around
maybe because I had a little more patience and a lot more time to devote to it
I used a general red velvet cake ball recipe from Bakerella
but you can use any kind of cake mix/frosting combo that you like
basically you make a cake from the box like you normally would
let it cool and then take your hands and crumble it all up in a bowl
and mix in a can of frosting (most of it)
make lots of little balls out of the dough and set on a pan in the freezer to chill

once the balls have chilled
stick a stick in them, pun intended
and dip them in melting chocolate (I found the pink kind at Michaels)
and then set them in some type of holder to dry so they are not touching a surface
my friend Anna told me about using a colander, it worked awesome
I also added on some sprinkles after dipping them in the chocolate

there you have it
cake balls as good as Starbucks’s
or at least that is what Genesis told me
and her opinion wins

congrats

2012-02-08T18:41:51Z

My husband interviewed for a new job last week
not really sure he would actually get it
well, he found out yesterday that he got it
there have been a lot of rough spots this past year
and if anyone deserves it, it’s him
I am so proud of him and excited that he will get to do something he enjoys
I brought us him home cupcakes to celebrate
and boy were they delicious

here’s to your new job in the new year, babe!

things I am loving

2012-02-08T17:30:00Z

Even though I am not quite ready to give up tights and boots yet
I can’t help but look at all the Spring fashions
here are a few things that are keeping me looking forward to the warmer months to come

I have been trying to find the perfect pendant necklace
I think this is it
I would probably get one of my favorite verses written on it, Ezekial 36:26

Must have for summer this year!
I really want this one, but it is sold out right now
this one is a close second

I am loving Chambray right now and like this one, but in Blue
I love this dress too

I need a new pair of flats
these or these would work and I LOVE these

I really want a pretty silk top
this one from J.Crew is perfect

a pretty chiffon skirt
for all occasions

a perfect striped T
still searching

I LOVE this scarf
so many pretty colors for Spring

babe, if you are reading these are all great ideas for V-Day

gladiators, bagles and sunshine

2012-02-06T23:45:18Z

Whew, busy weekend
Flyn and I had something going on every day/night
it was all fun and exhausting at the same time
Friday, we had an event at our church
let’s just say it involved gladiators, the gauntlet and jousting
Saturday we took Bear to the dog park, along with every other dog owner in the area apparently
it was absolutely beautiful outside, I think it reached 60!
after the park we went to eat at our new favorite bagel spot, thanks to Leah & Eric

their jalapeno pepper-jack bagel is amazing!
that evening we had friends over for dinner and we played some rounds of Monopoly-Deal
our new favorite game, be careful it can get extremely competitive!
and of course, yesterday was the superbowl
which included lots of delicious food, friends, and or course football
we are looking forward to a low key weekend
what about you? how did you spend your weekend?